What is Co-op?

Co-operative education at Algonquin involves a structured, academically integrated co-op program that provides students with meaningful, discipline-related work experience. The Co-op & Career Centre supports students through all three sequential stages of the co-op experience: Preparation, search, and work.

The Three Phases of Co-op

Stage 1: Co-op Preparation Term

Co-op Preparation includes career development workshops, job readiness training such as resume writing and interview skills, workplace essentials, and an orientation to co-op policies, expectations, and academic requirements.

Read more about the Co-op Preparation Term

Stage 2: Job Search Term

The Co-op & Career Centre supports your job search by posting job opportunities, hosting networking events or career fairs, coordinating interviews, managing offers, and liaising with employers and faculty.

Read more about the Job Search Term

Stage 3: Work Term(s)

Students complete full-time, paid, program-related work (14+ weeks, 35+ hours/week) between study terms. Each work term is employer-developed, College-approved, and monitored for quality. Faculty assess assignments and assign final grades.

Read more about the Work Term

Make your mark. Create Your Own Success!

Mandatory and Optional Co-op Programs

Mandatory Co-op Programs

In mandatory co-op programs, co-op work terms are a required part of the curriculum. Students must complete all designated work terms to fulfill graduation requirements and earn their credential.

Learn about program-specific details

Optional Co-op Programs

Students con choose to join co-op while completing their credential. Once opted in, all scheduled work terms become mandatory to maintain co-op status and graduate with the designation.

Learn about program-specific details

Co-op Student Benefits

ON-THE-JOB LEARNING

Learn valuable skills and industry lessons through paid, on-the-job work experience.

 

CO-OP GRADS CAN EARN MORE

Within the first 2 years of graduating, you could earn $2,000 - $8,000 more than graduates without a co-op experience (Walters & Zarifa, 2008).

BUILD INDUSTRY-SPECIFIC CONNECTIONS

Develop relationships within your industry by spending at least one semester working in a full-time, paid job related to your program.

 

EARN INCOME BETWEEN IN-CLASS SEMESTERS

Algonquin College co-op students typically earn approximately $10,000 per work term.

EXPLORE YOUR CAREER INTERESTS

Career decisions can be assisted with the benefit of real-world knowledge and applicable work experience.

 

  

Need help with your Co-op journey?

The Co-op & Career Centre supports you throughout your co-op journey—from GEP1001: Cooperative Education and Job Readiness Activities to co-op preparation, job search, work-term logistics, and general inquiries. We also offer guidance with applications and interview preparation to help you succeed.

Contact the Co-op & Career Centre